Top 5 offensive linemen in college football for 2019

#5 Creed Humphrey, C, Oklahoma

Humphrey immediately was named second-team All-Big XII

This is the only starter on that Oklahoma O-line returning from last season, which won the Joe Moore Award for the top unit in the country after leading the way for three 1000-yard rushers almost and giving the eventual Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray time to firebombs downfield.

A redshirt freshman only, Humphrey immediately was named second-team All-Big XII. The 6’5”, the 315-pound center gets underneath the pads of defenders, which gives him leverage on them in the run game and stymies their momentum in pass pro. He is light on his feet when it comes to mirroring guys at the line or getting his hands on linebackers in the run and screen game.

Humphrey quickly gets around to reach defenders and put his body in front of them and allow the ball-carrier to get to the outside. In protection, he matches and re-positions his hands constantly with a rusher in his face and uses kind of a pedal technique when uncovered and looking for work. In that area, his background as a wrestling standout really shows up.

Humphrey was highly impressive versus Quinnen Williams and Alabama in the Orange Bowl, where he was the best offensive lineman and probably overall player for the Sooners.

Just outside: Ben Bredeson (G, Michigan), Alaric Jackson & Tristan Wirfs (OT, Iowa), Trey Adams (OT, Washington), Penei Sewell & Shane Lemieux (OT & G, Oregon) and Cole Van Lanen (Wisconsin)